Research topics

The research group of Dr. Linz investigates the basic mechanisms of linear and nonlinear energy deposition. When ultrashort laser pulses are focused into a transparent material, nonlinear absorption occurs in the focal volume if the irradiation is high enough. Depending on the energy deposition, this leads to the generation of free electrons and, at higher energies, to a significant increase in pressure and temperature

This topic is relevant for a variety of applications and the translation of basic biophotonic research into industrial or clinical applications is of high importance. The systematic investigation of energy deposition during the variation of wavelength, pulse duration, and focusing angle of laser radiation provides new insights for material processing, laser surgery on the eye, and nanosurgery on cells. The laser-tissue interactions are investigated using state-of-the-art optical methods.

The current field of research is divided into the following subsections:

• Optical breakdown and laser-induced cavitation
• Refractive surgery
• Effect of free electrons on cells & biomolecules
• Development of a novel light source for speckle-free flash photography